{"links":{"self":"http://dataportal.arc.gov.au/NCGP/API/grants/DE260101642"},"data":{"type":"grant-details","id":"DE260101642","attributes":{"code":"DE260101642","administering-organisation":"The University of Sydney","announcement-administering-organisation":"The University of Sydney","scheme-name":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","grant-status":"Active","funding-commencement-year":2026,"years-funded":3,"project-start-date":"2026-06-01","anticipated-end-date":"2029-05-31","grant-summary":"Advancing Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Software Exploit Generation. This project will develop an advanced artificial intelligence system capable of autonomously detecting and exploiting software vulnerabilities, mirroring the reasoning of elite human hackers. Existing security methods are slow, expensive and struggle to scale. By leveraging AI-driven reasoning, this research will push beyond pattern-based detection to automated, end-to-end security analysis. Blockchain serves as a testbed due to its transparent attack records. The outcomes will enhance cybersecurity, providing stronger defences for businesses, governments and individuals while positioning Australia at the forefront of AI-driven security innovation.","funding-current":531395.00,"funding-at-announcement":527178,"investigators-current":[{"title":"Dr","firstName":"Liyi","familyName":"Zhou","roleName":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","roleCode":"DECRA","isFellowship":true,"orcidIdentifier":"0000-0002-2820-9872 "}],"investigators-at-announcement":[{"title":"Dr","firstName":"Liyi","familyName":"Zhou","roleName":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","roleCode":"DECRA","isFellowship":true,"orcidIdentifier":"0000-0002-2820-9872 "}],"organisations-current":[{"organisationName":"The University of Sydney","roleName":"Administering Organisation","state":"NSW"}],"organisations-at-announcement":[{"organisationName":"The University of Sydney","roleName":"Administering Organisation","state":"NSW"}],"field-of-research":[{"isPrimary":true,"code":"4604","name":"Cybersecurity and Privacy","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":false,"code":"460406","name":"Software and Application Security","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":false,"code":"461105","name":"Reinforcement Learning","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":false,"code":"461208","name":"Software Testing, Verification and Validation","type":"FOR20"}],"socio-economic-objective":[{"code":"140103","name":"Cyber and Electronic Security and Warfare","type":"SEO20"},{"code":"220405","name":"Cybersecurity","type":"SEO20"}],"international-collaboration":["England","Switzerland","United States of America"],"lief-register":[],"achievement-summary":null,"national-interest-test-statement":"This project is of national interest because it addresses the growing threat posed by software vulnerabilities that are exploited by malicious actors. In the 2023–24 financial year, the Australian cyber security centre reported over 87,400 cybercrime incidents — approximately one every six minutes—resulting in average financial losses of 30,700 AUD per individual and 49,600 AUD per small business. These alarming figures highlight the urgent need to bolster our cybersecurity defences.\n\nCybersecurity is a critical national priority given the rising risks from cybercriminals and nation‐state actors. This project aligns with the 2023–2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy, which stresses that we must act now, and it demonstrates that Australia has a unique opportunity to lead by developing a generalised security agent. Beyond its technical merits, the project will build national research capability by organising workshops to bring world-leading researchers to australia, fostering collaboration between the australian security community and top international experts. It will also train two phd candidates and two honours students, providing invaluable research training that will prepare them for successful careers in both academia and industry."}}}